Your residential address determines what ballot you will receive. You may find your sample ballot by using our Elections Look-up Tool.

The Linn County Election Services office has the sample ballots set up in this manner so the data is easy to find and less confusing for our users. Sample ballot styles can vary in number by the complexity of the election. Linn County Elections Look-up Tool

After this date, individuals wanting to register will need to complete Election Day Registration at our office when voting absentee or at their polling place on Election Day. Election Day Registration Information

A residence for voting purposes is where the voter's home is located. A business or any other non-residential property cannot be used for voter registration purposes unless that place is a primary, nighttime residence for the voter. Homeless people are residents of the place where they usually sleep.

The voter can only declare one residence for voter registration purposes. There is no restriction on how long a voter has to live somewhere before it can become a residence for voting purposes.

The Iowa Code does allow a voter's registration to be challenged for the reason that the voter is not a resident at the address where the voter is registered to vote.

Our office can mail a replacement voter registration card to you. Voter registration cards must be mailed. You may not pick up your registration card at the Auditor's Office. You may request a duplicate voter registration card over the phone (319-892-5300).

Once you have registered to vote, you do not have to register before each election, unless you move to a new county in Iowa or new State. Voter registration is not transferable across county jurisdictions.

If you have moved or changed your name, you must update your voter registration. You may update your voter registration by completing a voter registration form and mailing it to our office.

Iowans who are temporarily away from their homes do not lose residency for voting purposes. As long as a voter does not register in more than one place, the voter's registration status will remain as it is.

Iowans who are temporarily away from their homes do not lose residency for voting purposes. As long as a voter does not register in more than one place, the voter's registration status will remain as it is.

An individual who has power of attorney does not have the authority to sign a voter registration form, request an absentee ballot, or cast an absentee ballot on behalf of the voter. If a voter is unable to sign, the voter can use a stamp or make a mark to sign. The voter may also ask for assistance and have someone sign the form on the voter's behalf as long as it is done in the voter's presence and with the voter's permission.

Ballots are secret and voters have the right to vote for any candidate they want.

The only time that party affiliation is important in terms of voting is in the case of a political party caucus or a primary election. In those cases, voters must be registered with the political party whose caucus or primary they wish to participate in. Voters have the right to change their affiliation and then participate in the caucus or primary election on, or prior to, the day those events are being held. Voters can only participate in one party's caucus or primary election each time those events take place.

Yes. However, your record can only be viewed or obtained by others for specific purposes outlined below.

Voter registration records are public records as defined by Chapter 22 of the Code of Iowa. The records must be available for public inspection at reasonable times (§48A.34). Iowa law does not allow for a voter's registration record to be made private.

Iowa law allows for the purchase of voter registration lists (See Iowa Code section 48A.38.) Requests can be made at our office. Both the Secretary of State's Office and county auditors are required to maintain a log containing the name, address, and telephone number of every person who receives voter registration information.

A voter's Social Security number, driver's license number, non-operator ID number, and the name of an individual agency where a voter registration form was completed are confidential information and are never given to anyone requesting voter lists.

Using the information for any commercial purpose is a serious misdemeanor under Iowa law.

The last day our office can mail out a ballot is the 11 days before all elections except General Elections which is 10 days before the election. After this date, voters wanting to vote absentee must do so in-person at the Auditor's Office on the Monday before the election.

An individual who has power of attorney does not have the authority to sign a voter registration form, request an absentee ballot, or cast an absentee ballot on behalf of the voter. If a voter is unable to sign, the voter can use a stamp or make a mark to sign. The voter may also ask for assistance and have someone sign the form on the voter's behalf as long as it is done in the voter's presence and with the voter's permission.

If you need help marking your ballot due to a physical disability or inability to read the ballot, you may choose any person to help you except your employer, your employer's agent, or an officer/agent of your union.

If you are not physically able to sign the forms, you can use a stamp or make a mark to sign. You may also ask for assistance or have someone sign the form on your behalf as long as it is in your presence and with your permission.

There are also procedures for "spoiling" mailed absentee ballots that are sent with your absentee ballot.

If you make a mistake, place all voting materials in the return envelope. Write “SPOILED BALLOT” on the return envelope. Mail or deliver the envelope to the County Auditor and request a replacement ballot.

You can track your absentee ballot online by using the Track Your Absentee Ballot search. You can see the date your absentee ballot request was processed by our office, the date the office sent your ballot, and the date the office received your voted ballot.

Also you may call the Linn County Elections Office. Our phone number is 319-892-5300. There are procedures for obtaining a reissued ballot.

In Iowa, all absentee ballots that are received on time are considered for counting. Absentee ballots received by Election Day are counted on Election Day. Ballots received after Election Day but before the deadline are counted when the absentee and special voters' precinct board meets as long as they are postmarked the day before Election Day or earlier.

Linn County registered voters may change their address without any proof of residency.

After the end of voter pre-registration:

Linn County registered voters will need to have proper proof of residency to update their address if it is outside their previous precinct.

The following are acceptable proofs of residence:

Non-expired photo ID (this may list a previous address)

Utility bill (including a cell phone bill)

Bank statement

Paycheck

Government check or other government document

Attester

If you cannot prove where you live with the documents listed above, a registered voter from your precinct may attest for you. Both you and the attester will be required to sign an oath swearing the statements being made are true.

Falsely attesting or being attested for is registration fraud. It is a class “D” felony and is punishable by a fine of up to $7,500 and up to 5 years in prison

Linn County registered voters who move within their precinct do not need to provide proof of residency.

The best way to prove residency when making a change of address is with a valid Iowa driver’s license with a current address printed on it.

Primary Elections:These elections take place on even number years and the election is countywide. In the state of Iowa, the Primary Elections are “closed primaries” which means a voter wishing to participate will need to declare a party to vote the party’s primary ballot. Typically, there is only the Democratic and Republican Party ballots for the Primary Elections. There have been Primary Elections where additional parties have been added.

General Elections: General Elections are held on even number years and the election is countywide. There are two types of General Elections, Presidential General Elections and Gubernatorial Elections. Presidential General Elections are held to elect the President of the United States on the first Tuesday followed by the first Monday in November every four years (2004, 2008 for example). Gubernatorial Elections are held to elect the Governor of Iowa in on the first Tuesday followed by the first Monday in November every four years (2006, 2010 for example). It is common for other Federal, State and County Offices, Township positions, a Judicial Ballot and public measures to be on the General Election ballot.

City Elections: City elections are held on odd number years and only incorporated cities have city elections. Depending on the city and the form city government, positions on the city election ballot will vary. Registered voters who reside in the city are allowed to participate in this election. City elections are held on the first Tuesday followed by the first Monday in November every two years.

School Elections: School Elections are held on odd number years. Depending on the school district and the form of the school board, positions on the school election ballot will vary. Registered voters who reside in the school district are allowed to participate in this election. School elections are held in September every two years.

Special Elections: Special Elections can be held on specific dates set by the Iowa Secretary of State during a calendar year. Special elections can be used to fill vacancies and to vote on public measures on a State, County, City or School District level. Common special elections in Linn County are Local Option Sales and Services Tax, School Bond and Revenue Purpose Statements and to fill vacancies.

In the state of Iowa, the Primary Elections are “closed primaries” which means a voter wishing to participate will need to declare a party to vote the party’s primary ballot. Typically, there is only the Democratic and Republican Party ballots for the Primary Elections.

Currently in the state of Iowa, instant runoff elections are not allowed. It is best to contact your legislator if you wish have this added to the State Code. You may find your state legislator online at www.linncountyelections.org/lookup.

Currently in the state of Iowa, recall elections are not allowed. It is best to contact your legislator if you wish have this added to the State Code. You may find your state legislator online at www.linncountyelections.org/lookup.